MICHAEL'S POV
I stared at this mysterious woman in complete bewilderment, my mind struggling to process what had just happened.
The security guards had released me, stepping back as if they'd touched something radioactive.
"I'm sorry, but I think you have the wrong person," I stammered, wiping blood from my split lip.
"I'm nobody special. Just Michael Thompson."
The woman straightened from her bow, her piercing gaze never leaving my face.
"There is no mistake, young master. You are exactly who we have been searching for."
"Young master?" I let out a bitter laugh.
"Lady, I think you've got your wires crossed. I'm a live-in son-in-law who can't even pay his mother's hospital bills."
"I understand your confusion," she replied, her voice carrying absolute certainty.
"I will explain everything to you in detail once we have handled this immediate crisis. But first—"
She turned toward Mom's stretcher, her expression shifting to one of focused concern.
In swift strides, she approached and placed two fingers against Mom's wrist, then leaned down to check her breathing.
"She can still be saved," she announced, relief flooding through me like a dam bursting.
"But she requires immediate intensive care. Every second counts."
My knees nearly buckled with joy. "Really? You're sure?"
"I am certain. My medical team will handle her treatment personally."
Dr. Peterson stepped forward, his face twisted with contempt.
"This is ridiculous! You think you can fool me with this pathetic charade?" He gestured dismissively at the woman and her bodyguards.
"What did you do, hire a bunch of actors? You'd be better off spending that money on your mother's medical bills instead of this elaborate fantasy."
The woman's eyes turned to ice
. Without warning, she stepped forward and delivered what looked like the lightest possible slap to Dr. Peterson's cheek.
The sound was barely audible—a soft pat, really.
But Dr. Peterson flew backward like he'd been hit by a truck.
He sailed through the air for at least ten feet before crashing into a row of plastic chairs, sending them scattering across the floor.
Blood sprayed from his mouth as he hit the ground, and he lay there gasping like a fish out of water, unable to even attempt getting up.
The entire lobby fell silent except for the doctor's labored wheezing.
Holy shit. What kind of woman was this?
Dr. Peterson's face had gone white as paper, his earlier arrogance completely evaporated.
The air around this woman seemed to vibrate with barely contained power, and I could feel it pressing against everyone in the room like atmospheric pressure before a storm.
"You... you can't..." the doctor wheezed, fumbling for his phone with shaking hands.
"You don't know who you're messing with! The hospital director... he has backing from Police Chief Williams himself!"
He managed to dial a number, his voice gaining strength as he spoke into the phone.
"Chief Williams? It's Dr. Peterson at Metropolitan General. I need officers here immediately. Some crazy woman just assaulted me, and—"
The woman calmly pulled out her own phone, her movements precise and unhurried.
She dialed a number and waited exactly one ring before someone answered.
"Chief Williams," she said, her voice dropping to arctic temperatures.
"This is Victoria Sterling."
Even from several feet away, I could hear the sharp intake of breath from the other end of the line.
"I'm currently at Metropolitan General Hospital," she continued, "where I've discovered that your friend Dr. Peterson has been abusing his position for personal profit while neglecting his medical duties. Patients are dying while he extorts their families."
Dr. Peterson's face went from white to green.
"She's lying!" he croaked. "She's some kind of con artist!"
Victoria ignored him completely.
"You have one minute to resolve this situation, Chief Williams. One minute, or I will assume you are complicit in this corruption and act accordingly."
She hung up without waiting for a response.
Dr. Peterson let out a shaky laugh, though sweat was pouring down his face.
"You think you can intimidate me with theatrics? Chief Williams will have you arrested within minutes. You have no idea the kind of power you're dealing with."
The gathered security guards and nurses were all watching this standoff with wide eyes, clearly expecting the mysterious woman to be dragged away in handcuffs any moment.
But something was nagging at me.
The way she'd said her name—Victoria Sterling—like it should mean something. And the way the police chief had reacted on the phone...
Meanwhile, Dr. Peterson was struggling to his feet, his confidence returning as the minutes ticked by.
"Where are your fancy connections now?" he sneered.
"Just wait until Director Harrison gets here. He'll put an end to this circus."
He turned to address the gathering crowd of nurses and staff.
"You're all witnessing assault and battery. This woman will be in prison by tonight, mark my words."
"You seem quite confident for someone who was just sent flying across the room," Victoria replied coolly.
"A lucky shot, nothing more," Peterson spat.
"But Director Harrison has real power in this city. He's untouchable, and so am I under his protection."
One of the nurses whispered to another, "Should we call more security?"
"No need," Peterson declared loudly.
"The director will handle this personally. He doesn't tolerate troublemakers disrupting his hospital."
As if summoned by his words, the lobby doors burst open again.
But instead of the calm, authoritative entrance I expected from a hospital director, a middle-aged man in an expensive suit came running in like his life depended on it.
"Where is she?" he gasped, his voice cracking with panic. "Where is Ms. Sterling?"
Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 144 PART 2
He pulled up another slide showing a list of major corporations. "We now have active partnerships with seven Fortune 500 companies. Three of them approached us specifically because of the leadership changes. They wanted to work with fresh vision, not the stagnant board that had run this company for the past decade."The room was dead silent now."But what about the scandals?" Harrison protested weakly. "The media attention?""Bad press is still press," Michael replied. "Our name recognition has tripled. Job applications are up sixty percent. Younger talent wants to work for a company that isn't afraid to fight back." He changed slides one more time. "And as for the investors who fled—good riddance. They've been replaced by stronger, more loyal investors who understand that short-term volatility doesn't negate long-term growth."Mr. Diaz was smiling now. Even some of the neutral board members looked impressed.But not all of them."This is very compelling," a voice said from the far en
Chapter 144 PART 1
The boardroom on the forty-fifth floor had never felt more oppressive. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, but the view might as well have been of a battlefield. Twelve board members sat around the massive oak table, their faces ranging from hostile to cautiously neutral.Michael took his seat at the head of the table, Santiago standing behind him like a sentinel. His arm was out of the sling now, though it still ached. Small price to pay for what was coming.Mr. Shen sat three seats down, his face pale, his hands trembling slightly every time he looked at Michael. The man had lost weight since their last encounter, and the fear in his eyes was palpable.Good. Let him be afraid.Harrison cleared his throat, calling the meeting to order. "Gentlemen—and lady—we're here to address the ongoing concerns about Mr. Thompson's leadership of this company.""Concerns?" Michael's voice was mild. "Is that what we're calling it?"Harrison's face reddened. "The past six months have been m
CHAPTER 143 PART 2
Michael took the money, counting it slowly. "Where is she?""Interrogation room. Third door on the left." Vincent leaned back against the desk. "Take your time. But remember—I'm watching."Of course he was. Michael had expected cameras.The hallway was dimly lit, the concrete walls stained and cracked. Michael counted doors until he reached the third one. He paused, gathering himself, then pushed it open.Elena sat tied to a chair in the center of the room, her expensive dress torn and dirty. Her makeup was smeared from crying, and when she looked up, her eyes widened in recognition."You—" she started.Michael moved fast, clamping a hand over her mouth. He leaned close, his back to the camera in the corner, and whispered urgently. "Don't say my name. Don't react. Vincent's watching. Play along with whatever I do."He pulled back, speaking louder now. "So you're the one causing problems."Elena's eyes were wide with confusion and fear, but she nodded slightly. She understood."Good gi
CHAPTER 143 PART 1
The phone call came at two in the morning. Santiago's voice was tight with tension."Boss, we have a problem. Elena's missing. Her car was found outside one of Isaac's old warehouses—the one on Industrial Boulevard."Michael was out of bed before Santiago finished speaking. "Vincent's territory.""Exactly. And according to our sources, Vincent's men brought someone in tonight. A woman matching Elena's description."Michael's jaw clenched. "That reckless—" He cut himself off. Anger wouldn't help now. "I'm coming in. Don't do anything until I get there."Sarah stirred beside him. "Michael? What's wrong?""Elena did something stupid. I have to fix it." He kissed her forehead. "Go back to sleep. I'll be back soon."But Sarah sat up, fully awake now. "Be careful. Please.""Always."An hour later, Michael stood in Santiago's operations room, studying security footage that showed Elena entering the warehouse. Alone. Unprepared. Walking straight into a trap."Idiot," Michael muttered. "Absolu
Chapter 142 Part 2
"Is it? Or is the truth just too uncomfortable?" Elena's eyes glittered with tears she refused to shed. "Goodbye, Michael. Good luck with your perfect marriage."She stormed out, heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Other diners pretended not to watch, but Michael could feel their eyes anyway.Victoria cleared her throat awkwardly. "That went well."Michael couldn't help but laugh—a tired, humorless sound. "Did it?""For what it's worth, I meant what I said. I understand. And I'm sorry if I made things complicated." Victoria stood, gathering her things. "I should go. Let you finish your dinner in peace.""Victoria, you don't have to—""I do." She smiled, but it was sad. "Take care of yourself, Michael. And your wife. She's lucky to have you."She left before he could respond, moving carefully with her cane.Michael sat alone at the table, staring at the remains of a dinner that had turned into a disaster. He should have seen it coming. Should have been clearer about bounda
Chapter 142 Part 1
The restaurant was one of those upscale establishments where the lighting was intentionally dim and the prices were intentionally obscene. Victoria had made the reservation under the pretense of a business dinner—a thank you for Michael's support during her recovery.Michael should have suspected something when she'd insisted on a corner booth with candlelight.He sat across from Victoria, who looked stunning in a deep blue dress that complemented her eyes. She'd ditched the crutches for a cane, and her smile was warm as she raised her wine glass."To recovery," she said. "Both physical and corporate."Michael clinked his glass against hers, though something felt off about the whole setup. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble just to say thank you.""It's not trouble." Victoria leaned forward slightly, her voice softening. "Michael, I wanted to talk to you about—""Well, isn't this cozy?"Michael's head snapped toward the familiar voice. Elena stood beside their table, dressed i
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